National SC-HSC Examinations: More than 21,000 candidates sit Cambridge exams

In total, more than 21,000 students will sit these national examinations, which will run until 13 November. This year, 8,235 candidates are registered for the HSC and 13,500 for the SC, including around 800 in Rodrigues. The HSC examinations open today with Food Studies Planning. Tomorrow, the SC exams will begin with Food and Nutrition Planning. This year's session will also feature the subsidiary examinations in Kreol Morisien at HSC level, scheduled for 1, 5 and 27 October.

Beyond the numbers, this year's HSC session is particularly significant. The results of the first cohort of students admitted to the HSC after obtaining only three or four credits at SC level will be closely watched. Education authorities also remain concerned about persistent difficulties in mathematics, English and French. To improve academic performance, the Ministry of Education has strengthened its support for around 15 colleges with lower pass rates. Since the beginning of the third term, the Quality Assurance Department has been carrying out more frequent visits and supporting rectors and heads of department in monitoring students' academic progress.

The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) reminds candidates that watches, whether traditional or smartwatches, are now prohibited in examination rooms. This ban comes in addition to the existing prohibition on mobile phones and any other electronic devices. Candidates are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the examinations and to carefully check their timetable. Any breach of the rules or attempt to cheat will result in severe penalties, ranging from a mark of zero to being barred from the subject concerned.